Carphephorus corymbosus (Florida Paintbrush)

Native to the southeastern United States, this herbaceous perennial grows about 2 to 3 feet tall when flowering. It occurs in pine flatwoods, sandhills, and other open, sandy habitats. Upright stems arise from a rosette of narrow leaves and carry flat-topped clusters of pink to lavender flowers. Each flower head contains many tiny tubular florets. In Florida, it blooms from late summer into fall, providing nectar for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The small fruits have a tuft of bristly hairs. Photographed in Florida.